Collar creasing and ironing apparatus



April 23, 1940. J. w. CRESWELL.

COLLAR CREASING AND IRONING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 28, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN W CRESWELL Bnnentor (Iftorneg April 23, 1940. J. w. CRESWELL 2,198,492

COLLAR CREASING AND IRONING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN W CREswELL Bnventor Gttorneg P 1940. J. w. CRESWELL 2.198.492

GOLLAR CREASING AND IRONING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I m 3nvcmor QJOHN W. CRESWELL Gttorncg iii Patented Apr. 23, 1940 TENT OFFlCE COLLAR CREASING AND IRONING APPARATUS John W. Creswell, Shelby, N. 0., assignor of one-fourth to Mason E. Peters, Shelby, N. 0.

Application November 28, 1938, Serial No. 242,842

' 6 Claims. (01. 223-521;)

This invention relates'toa collar and neck band shaper and finisher and the purpose is to expedite the ironing operation on shirt collars. *I-Ieretofore shirt collars have been ironed and finished by manual means and in most cases, no means have been provided for properly creasing the collar so as to provide ample room for the necktie to be slid therein. Instead the collar has been creased very sharply and the fabric is thus damaged along the bend line due to this acute bending, especially when the collar'is starched. Also there has been much trouble in obtaining a uniform ironing operation by manual means, because the crease would not be properly positioned each time. i

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a shaping and finishingapparatus for setting a crease in a collar which creaseis of such shape and size as to permit free'movement of a necktie therein; This result is obtained by providing a suitable mandrel'of'such shape and thickness which may be used to crease the collar thereover, thereby allowing the inner fold of the collar to be disposed on one side of the mandrel and the outer fold on the-other side. When in this position, ashap'ing apparatus or heated form is lowered onto the mandrel'to set the crease in the collar.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for shaping and finishing collars comprising a mandrel for' supporting a collar,

a pivoted steam chest having a groove in its lower side for creasing the collar overthe mandrel and means for resiliently supporting the mandrel, both vertically and laterally, whereby the mandrel will adjust itself to the groove in the steam chest when said chest is'lowe'red thereon.

upon the lowering of a heated form, and a-re-' silient means for simultaneously contacting the interior of the shirt below the collar to thereby hold the collar in position while the form is being lowered, By providing means for contacting both sides of the creased fabric while the form is being lowered, it isseen that a more uniform operation is obtained, because there is less likelihood of the collar slipping relative to the mandrel. This resilient means for contacting the interior of the shirt, also serves to hold the collar in contact with the mandrel while the heated form is being raised. Therefore, if a bond between the form and the collar is formed while the crease is being set, the resilient means will serve to hold 5, the collar on the mandrel as the form is raised and as the bond is broken.

Some of the objects of this invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection 10 with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a collar and neck band shaper and finisher made in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking at the right- 15 hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1;

' Figure 4 is a sectional plan view through the steam chest or form and taken along the line 44 in Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is asectionalplan View taken along the line 5--5 in Figure 2, but omitting the steam chest or form; V

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3, 25 but showing the steam chest in an elevated position prior to its being lowered upon the mandrel;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing the mandrel in a lower position, at which time the opposed exterior surfaces of the creased collar are being contacted;

Figure 8 is an exploded isometric view of a resilient supporting means for the mandrel;

Figures 9 is a developed view of a collar, shown attached to a portion of the shirt;

Figure 10 is a sectional view similar to the central portion of Figure 3, but showing a slightly modified form of the invention in which a greater portion of the neck band of the collar is finished.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral Ill denotes a suitable U-shaped base portion which has secured to its upper end suitable brackets H. Each of the brackets H has a hollow stud screw l2 rotatably mounted therein, the proximate ends of the stud screws being threadedly secured in an arm 14 (Figures 2, 3 and 4) Leading into one of the stud screws I2 is an inlet steam pipe i5, said pipe being secured within the screw by means of a packing nut 16. Likewisean outlet steam pipe I! is held in position by means of a similar packing nut Hi. It will be noted that the arm M has hollow bores l9 and 20 therein, The left-hand ends of these bores communicate with a space 2| in acap 22. Steam is allowed to flow from pipe l5 into bore l9 thence into space 2!, after which it enters bore 20 and passes out through pipe IT.

The lower side of cap member 22 has a circular groove 25 therein which is adapted to fit upon the top edge of a circular mandrel 26. Mandrel 2'5 is supported by means of suitable resilient leaf spring members 21 such as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 8. It will be noted that the spring members 2? have holes 29 and 30, in the ends thereof which are slightly larger than bolts 3! and 32 which penetrate them. The bolts 3! and 32 are also adapted to threadably penetrate hole 25a in mandrel 26 and hole 34a in supporting block 34 respectively, to provide resilient connecting members between the mandrel 25 and the framework lll.

The rear side of the mandrel 26 is supporte in a similar member by a resilient leaf spring member 35 (Figures 4: and 5). This member is secured to a lug 35 on the mandrel 26 by any suitable means such as a pin 51, and the other end of the spring member 35 is secured to a block 38 by any suitable means such as screws 39. The block 38 has a bore therethrough which is slidably penetrated by a bolt 49. Bolt 40 has a nut M on one end thereof and a fixed collar '42 integral with its intermediate portion. Between the collar 42 and the block 38 is a compression spring 43. The right-hand portion of the bolt 49 (see Figure 3) penetrates a suitable slot 45 in the upper portion of the supporting framework H! and a suitable washer 46 and nut 4'! are provided for holding the bolt in adjusted position.

The purpose in boring the holes 29 and 30 somewhat larger than the screw 3! and 32, as shown in Figure 8, is to allow a certain amount of vertical as well as lateral movement of the mandrel 26 so that this member may adjust itself to the groove 25 in the lower side of the cap member 22. The block 38 is slidably mounted upon the bolt all in order to likewise allow lateral movement of the resilient supporting member 35. It is seen that the mandrel is loosely supported at three points in a resilient manner, therefore the groove 25 in the cap member 26 .will always move the mandrel to its proper position when the cap member is lowered to the position shown in Figure 3. The slot 45 is pro vided so that the vertical position of the bolt as may be varied and thereby the tilt of the mandrel determined. I

When it is desired to place a crease in collar 55 (Figure 9), the collar is dampened along crease lines 5!. Then it is folded upon this crease line with the outer fold of the collar disposed on the exterior of the mandrel as shown in Figures 3, 6 and '7 and the inner fold of the collar is disposed on the interior thereof. A shirt 52 to which the collar is shown attached, is allowed to fall downwardly within the U-shaped member El! and be partially supported by platform 53. With the collar in this position, the heated cap 22 is lowered until the groove 25 will be properly seated upon the creased collar and press it firmly upon. the mandrel 26.

Prior to performing the crease setting operation, however, the collar 50 is laid with the flattened or developed position upon a suitable table which table is hingedly secured as at 59 to the upper portion of the supporting framework Iii. This table is held in horizontal position by means of a suitable brace 60, the upper end of which is hingedly secured as at 5| to the lower side of the platform 58 and the lower end of said brace is adapted to rest in a suitable notch 62 in the framework. It is while the collar is disposed upon this table with the finish side up that a suitable moistening substance is applied. This moistening substance is carried by a sui able container 63 which is likewise attached to the upper side of the framework III.

In order to determine the amount of weight applied by the cap member 22 and to the creased collar 50, a suitable adjustable weight member 68 is provided, said weight member being thread- -ably secured around a rod '55 and this rod is supported by post members 70 and H which rest upon the cap member 22 and arm 14, respectively. The threaded rod 69 has a wheel '12 fixed on one end thereof which may be turned when it is desired to vary the position of the weight 68. This weight has a notch 13 in its lower side, which notch is adapted to straddle horizontally disposed member 14 and post H. The purpose of notch 13 and member 14 is to prevent rotative move ment of the weight 68. It is evident by observing Figure 3 that the nearer the weight 63 is disposed to post "1, the greater amount of weight will be applied to the cap member 22.

The cap 22 has a suitable handle 17 which is grasped by the operator when the cap member is being lowered from dotted line position as shown in Figure 2 to bold line position, or vice versa. 1 i I It is very desirable to have means for initially engaging the interior of the shirt immediately below the neck band of the creased collar simultaneously with the engagement of the downturned portion of the collar by rim 22a of the cap member 22. Unless some means is provided for applying a force to the interior of the shirt below the creased collar at the same time a force is applied to the outside there is a danger of the collar slipping upon the mandrel, before the cap reaches its lowermost position. Therefore, a suitable forked member has been provided which is slidably mounted upon the lower end 8|a of rod 8|. The upper end'oi rod 8| is pivoted as at 82 to the lower side of cap member 22. When the cap is in a raised position the intermediate portion of the rod BI is supported by U-shaped loop 83 which also extends from the lower side of the cap member 22. A spring 84 is disposed around the rod 8! and between collar 81b and the fork member 80. The spring normally forces the prong of the fork member to extended position as shown in Figure 6 when the cap is in a raised position. As the cap is lowered, the ends 80a of the prongs contact the shirt 52 directly below the collar as shown in Figure 7. Simultaneo usly with the contacting of the shirt 52 by the ends 80a, the lip 22a of cap member 22 contacts the portion of the collar disposed on the outside of the mandrel 26. It is seen that by providing this means for simultaneously contacting the shirt on opposed sides of the mandrel that the collar is held in its proper position prior to the cap member reaching its lowermost position. It should also be noted that as the cap member 22 is lowered from the position shown in Figure '7 to the lowermost position as shown in Figure 3, the fork member 80 gives way, that is slides, upon squared portions 8 la, thereby compressing the spring 84. This will allow the overall length of members 80 and 8! to be gradually shortened and also will allow the angle between the lower surface of the head member 22 and the rod 8| to decrease as the head or cap member 22 is lowered.

The groove 25 is so shaped that the interior'm fold of the collar after being placed upon the mandrel will be properly compressed, ironed and finished. Also the exterior of the collar will be folded down to the proper position. With this groove properly seated upon the collar and the mandrel, the heat therein will set the crease and after the proper setting has been effected, the head portion 22 is rotated to dotted line position as shown in Figure 2 so that the collar and shirt may be removed. As the head portion is being rotated upwardly, the forked member remains in contact with the shirt to hold it on the mandrel while the bond between the collar and groove 25 is being broken.

Special attention is called to the size and shape of groove 25. The diameter of this groove is slightly greater than the diameter of the mandrel 26. Also, the lower portion of the inner wall of this groove is rounded as at 25a. Consequently the rounded portion 250. will engage the top of the collar on the mandrel 26 and as the groove approaches its lowermost position, the mandrel is expanded. This expansion causes the inner wall of the groove 25 to snugly press against the neckband of the collar 50 and finish it while the crease is being set.

Figure 10 shows a slightly modified form of the invention in which the member M has a head secured thereto, said head having a groove 96 therein which merges into inner sidewall 91. The lower portion of this sidewall merges with a rounded portion 98. In this form, the inner sidewall is made of greater width so as to iron and finish a greater surface of the neckband of collar 50. The rounded portion 98 expands the mandrel in the same manner as in the preceding form.

It is thus seen that by providing this type of apparatus that the finishing of a collar can be restricted to a minimum number of operations. It is not necessary to perform any manual operations except to moisten the collar along the crease lines 5| prior to inserting it over the mandrel. With a collar thus finished, and creased, ample room is provided for free movement of the necktie therein.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for shaping collars on mens shirts comprising a frame, a curved member mounted in the frame and over which the collar is placed to support the collar with its inner fold against the inner face of the curved member and its outer fold being disposed against the outer surface of the curved member, a heated member mounted in the frame for movement into engagement with the collar on the curved member and having a groove therein conformable to the shape of the curved member for fitting over the curved member and pressing the inner and outer folds of the collar and the junction point of the inner and outer folds of the collar against the curved member for forming a crease at the junction point of the inner and outer folds of the collar, a pair of spaced projections rising from the top of the heated member and having a threaded rod turnably mounted therein, said rod extending longitudinally of the heated member, a weight threadably mounted on said rod, and

means for preventing turning movement of said weight when the rod is turned to adjust the position of the weight longitudinally of the heated member.

2. Apparatus for shaping collars on collar attached shirts, comprising a frame, an arcuate member mounted in the frame and over which the inner and outer folds of the collar are adapted to be placed, and a heated member having an arcuate groove therein and mounted in the frame for movement relative to the arcuate member for fitting over the upper edge of the collar and pressing it against the arcuate member, and means pivotally mounted on the heated member for engaging the shirt below the junction point between the shirt and the collar and before the heated member engages the collar, as the heated member is moved into engagement with the collar for holding the shirt and its collar in position to be engaged by the heated member.

3. In a machine for shaping collars on mens shirts comprising a frame, a curved member mounted in the frame and over which the collar is placed to support the collar with its inner fold against the inner face of the curved member and its outer fold being disposed against the outer surface of the curved member, a heated member mounted in the frame for movement into engagement with the collar on the curved member and having a groove therein conformable to the shape of the curved member for fitting over the curved member and pressing the inner and outer folds of the collar and the junction point of the inner and outer folds of the collar against the curved member for forming a crease at the junction point of the inner and outer folds of the collar, and means pivotally mounted on the heated member for engaging the shirt below the collar before the heated member engages the collar as the heated member is moved into engagement with the collar for holding the shirt and its collar in position to be engaged by the heated member, a pair of spaced projections rising from the top of the heated member and having a threaded rod turnably mounted therein, said rod extending longitudinally of the heated member, a weight threadably mounted on said rod, and means for preventing turning movement of said weight when the rod is turned to adjust the position of the weight longitudinally of the heated member.

4. Apparatus for shaping a moistened turn down collar on a collar attached shirt, comprising a frame, a curved member mounted in the frame and over which the inner and outer folds of the collar are adapted to be placed whereby the collar will be supported at the fold line between its inner and outer folds, a heated member pivoted on the frame for swinging movement and having an arcuate groove in its lower face conformable to the shape of the curved collar supporting member and movable into engagement with the fold line and adjacent portions of the inner and outer folds for applying pressure and heat to the collar to set the fold line in the collar and to shape the portions of the inner and outer folds of the collar which are adjacent to the fold line, and means pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the heated member for engaging the shirt with its other end before the heated member is moved into engagement with the collar for holding the shirt and its collar in position to be engaged by the heated member, a pair of spaced projections rising from the top of the heated member and having a threaded rod turnably mounted therein,

said rod extending longitudinally of the heated 75 member, a weight threadably mounted on said rod, and means for preventing turning movement of said weight when the rod is turned to adjust the position of the weight longitudinally of the heated member.

5. In a machine for shaping collars on mens shirts comprising a frame, a curved member mounted in the frame and over which the collar is placed to support the collar with its inner fold against the inner face of the curved member and its outer fold being disposed against. the outer surface of the curved member, a heated member mounted in the frame for movement into engagement with the collar on the curved member and having a groove therein conformable to the shape of the curved member for fitting over the curved member and pressing the inner and outer folds of the collar and the junction point of the inner and outer folds of the collar against the curved member for forming a crease at the junction point of the inner and outer folds of the collar, and means for resiliently supporting the curved member, a pair of spaced projections rising from the top of the heated member and having a threaded rod turnably mounted therein, said rod extending longitudinally of the heated member, a weight threadably mounted on said rod, and means for preventing turning movement of said weight when the rod is turned to adjust the position of the weight longitudinally of the heated member.

6. Apparatus for shaping a moistened turn down collar on a collar attached shirt, comprising a frame, a curved member mounted in the frame and over which the inner and outer folds of the collar are adapted to be placed whereby the collar will be supported at the fold line between its inner and outer folds, a heated member pivoted on the frame for swinging movement and having an arcuate groove in its lower face conformable to-the shape of the curved collar supporting member and movable into engagement with the fold line and adjacent portions of the inner and outer folds for applying pressure and heat to the collar to set the fold line in the collar and to shape the portions of the inner and outer folds of the collar which are adjacent to the fold line, and means for resiliently supporting the curved member at a plurality of points so that the fold line of the collar will at all points be engaged by the groove in the heated member, a pair of spaced projections rising from the top of the heated member and having a threaded rod turnably mounted therein, said rod extending longitudinally of the heated member, a weight threadably mounted on said rod, and means for preventing turning movement of said weight when the rod is turned to adjust the position of the weight longitudinally of the heated member.

JOHN W. CRESWELL. 

